Hay
Statistical Area - sa2

Hay has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Hay's population was around 2,926 as of Aug 2025. This reflected an increase of 29 people from the 2,897 reported in the 2021 Census. The change was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 2,880 as of June 2024 and an additional 36 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a population density ratio of 0.20 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration primarily drove this growth.

AreaSearch adopted projections based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024, using 2022 as the base year for covered areas. For uncovered SA2 areas, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a 2021 base year were used. Growth rates by age group were applied to all areas until 2041. By then, the population was projected to decrease by 281 persons overall but increase in specific age cohorts, notably the 75-84 age group by 61 people.

The level of residential development activity in Hay is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Hay recorded approximately four residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis: 23 homes over five financial years from FY-20 to FY-25, with two approvals so far in FY-26. The area has experienced population decline, suggesting new supply likely keeps pace with demand, offering good choice for buyers. New properties are constructed at an average value of $896,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

In FY-26, $19.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Rest of NSW, Hay shows reduced construction (64.0% below regional average per person), which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. However, building activity has accelerated recently. This is lower than nationally, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. All new construction comprises detached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 477 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. With stable or declining population forecasts, Hay may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Hay has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 41stth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 18 projects likely impacting this region. Notable initiatives include the Hay Structure Plan, John Houston Memorial Pool Upgrade, Hay Health Services Redevelopment, and Bishops Lodge Affordable Housing Development. The following details projects expected to be most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Employment conditions in Hay remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Hay has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation, an unemployment rate of 4.1%, and estimated employment growth of 3.6% over the past year as of June 2025. There are 1,658 residents in work, with an unemployment rate of 4.1%, 0.4% above Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation is broadly similar to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment among residents is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, retail trade, and construction. The area has a particularly strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share of 4.7 times the regional level. Health care & social assistance employs just 7.9% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 16.9%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 3.6% while labour force grew by 4.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest growth of approximately 5.0%% over five years and 11.0% over ten years for Hay's employment mix.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 30, 2022 shows median income in Hay was $49,311 and average income was $55,183. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where median income was $49,459 and average income was $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year ended June 30, 2022, current estimates for Hay would be approximately $54,538 (median) and $61,032 (average) as of March 2025. Census data indicates household, family and personal incomes in Hay all fall between the 16th and 29th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 29.6% of residents (866 people) earn between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring regional levels where 29.9% occupy this bracket. Housing costs are modest with 91.9% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 25th percentile nationally.

Hay is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Hay's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 91.6% houses and 8.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 92.7% houses and 7.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Hay stood at 47.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.9% and rented dwellings at 28.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $894, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,179. The median weekly rent figure in Hay was recorded as $175, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $200. Nationally, Hay's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Hay features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 64.7% of all households, including 22.1% couples with children, 30.6% couples without children, and 10.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 35.3%, with lone person households at 33.7% and group households comprising 2.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Hay faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area has university qualification rates of 12.0%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.0%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.7%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 38.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (29.5%). Educational participation is high at 28.6%, including primary education (11.8%), secondary education (7.9%), and tertiary education (1.6%).

Hay's four schools have a combined enrollment of 385 students. Education provision is balanced with three primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups in Hay, demonstrating varied educational conditions across the area.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Transport analysis indicates 16 active stops operating within Hay, consisting of a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 8 individual routes, offering collectively 74 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated limited, with residents typically located 1749 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 10 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 4 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Hay is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Hay faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across all ages. Private health cover stands at around 48%, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Asthma and arthritis are most common, affecting 10.3% and 9.8% respectively. About 61.3% report no medical ailments, compared to 65.8% in Rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65+, at 26.8%, compared to the regional average of 22.9%.

Hay is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Hay's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 84.7% of its population being citizens, 92.2% born in Australia, and 95.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Hay, comprising 69.7% of people, compared to 57.0% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.9%), English (32.8%), and Irish (8.2%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal were overrepresented at 6.3%, Maori at 0.5%, and Scottish at 7.7%.

Hay hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Hay's median age is 48 years, which is significantly older than Rest of NSW's median age of 43 and the Australian median age of 38. The age profile shows that 17.1% of Hay's population falls into the 55-64 year-old group, while only 8.7% are in the 35-44 age bracket. This is notable as it is higher than Rest of NSW's national average of 11.2%. According to post-2021 Census data, Hay's population aged 65 to 74 grew from 11.5% to 13.6%, while the 85+ cohort increased from 3.1% to 4.2%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group declined from 11.6% to 10.2%, and the 55 to 64 age group dropped from 18.2% to 17.1%. Demographic modeling suggests that Hay's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 75 to 84 age cohort projected to grow steadily by 53 people (20%), from 263 to 317. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive all population growth in Hay, emphasizing demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, both the 65 to 74 and 45 to 54 age groups are expected to decrease in number.